CMS finalizes 190 new ICD-10-CM codes, deletes and revises others
By: Greg Hambrick with additional reporting by Julia Kyles, CPC
Take note of the differences between the proposed and final versions of the ICD-10-CM code set. The ICD-10-CM Coordination & Maintenance Committee added six new codes that describe a personal history of gender transition (Z87.8901-Z87.8909 and Z87.893) that were not featured in the April release of the proposed codes.
 
Prepare for MSO/PC conflict before private equity deals go sour
By: Roy Edroso
A case involving two entities that often manage medical practices taken over by private equity firms — the management services organization (MSO) and the professional corporation (PC) — raises concerns that other such practices may be vulnerable to stronger, even disastrous, legal and regulatory oversight and discipline.
As modifier 25 audits pick up, key in on internal review, provider education
By: Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced it is launching a new audit of E/M services billed on the same day as minor procedures effective March 16, 2026. When an E/M service that is significant, separately identifiable, and well documented in the clinical record is performed on the same day as a minor surgical procedure, modifier 25 is used to report the E/M service.
Part B News Features
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Question: What are some tips for properly documenting E/M visits as it relates to medical decision-making (MDM), particularly when it comes to improving communication with providers?... More
NPP Report
Recent changes mandated by Congress and CMS that boost the status of physician assistants (PA) — or physician associates, as some groups prefer — is another sign that the providers formerl... More
Benchmark of the Week
Patient relationship category modifiers aren’t mandatory, but they have gained popularity since CMS introduced them in 2018. Providers submitted approximately 170,000 Medicare Part B claims with... More
Ask a Part B News Expert
Question: What are some tips for properly documenting E/M visits as it relates to medical decision-making (MDM), particularly when it comes to improving communication with providers?... More
NPP Report
Recent changes mandated by Congress and CMS that boost the status of physician assistants (PA) — or physician associates, as some groups prefer — is another sign that the providers formerl... More
Benchmark of the Week
Patient relationship category modifiers aren’t mandatory, but they have gained popularity since CMS introduced them in 2018. Providers submitted approximately 170,000 Medicare Part B claims with... More
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Part B News Blog
Jun 11, 2026
See full descriptors for patient relationship modifiers X1-X5
by: Julia Kyles, CPC
Jun 5, 2026
Breaking: CMS finalizes 190 new ICD-10-CM codes, deletes and revises others
by: Greg Hambrick with additional reporting by Julia Kyles, CPC
May 28, 2026
Code swap: Remember that G0136 now covers physical activity, nutrition
by: Richard Scott
Tools
Update to the list of designated health services – 2026
Find the latest list of designated health services (DHS) that are subject to the Stark physician self-referral rule’s restriction on referrals. The new list went into effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Current and new descriptors for 21 CPT codes – 2026
Get a head start on revisions to codes in the E/M, cardiovascular, radiology and medicine chapters of the 2026 CPT Manual. The following chart contains the current and revised long descriptors for codes that CMS released in the proposed 2026 Medicare physician fee schedule and intends to assign an active (A) payment status
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Benchmark of the Week
Patient relationship modifiers have surged since 2018, and one specialty dominates
Patient relationship category modifiers aren’t mandatory, but they have gained popularity since CMS introduced them in 2018. Providers submitted approximately 170,000 Medicare Part B claims with a patient relationship modifier in 2018. The most recent CMS data shows that providers submitted more than 50 million claims with a patient relationship modifier in 2024.
With denials already high, practices contend with G0136 revamp
Family practice and internal medicine providers led the way in reimbursement for HCPCS code G0136 in its first year of eligibility, returning more than $1.6 million in payments. But providers should note a significant revision to the code effective in 2026 or risk major compliance challenges.
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